There is nothing like a holiday build! What better way to celebrate Christ entering the world to reconcile us to Him than showing His love to those who need it. Most would say that it is a "bummer" that Julie and I have to stay here on the holidays. "Don't you miss your family?" YES! But I can't begin to describe to you the blessing it is to be here on the holidays.
This year we built with Cornerstone Christian Church Shiloh. This was their second year building with our ministry. They had 21 adult team members and one eight year old girl. This was an important trip for their church because they are trying to transition the church into having a greater missions mind set. Casas Por Cristo is one of the best trips for that. It is international but not to far from home. It is a week long trip but very affordable. It is very complex but easy to plan a trip. Our organization is one of the best for short term missions and really getting people's feet wet into international missions. I think this trip was perfect for their church.
I met them at Walmart the day they arrived. They were busy shopping for all kinds of gifts for the family. I thought that was really cool. They bought blankets, heaters, clothes, cookware, and furniture. This family was about to receive a huge blessing from God.
The day of crossing the border, Julie and I met the team at our office. I discussed with them a few short details about what they should expect for the day to come and then we spent time praying for safety, the family to receive a house, and for us to see and give glory to God through our work. After we crossed the border we arrived at the Mexican church we were going to stay at every night. I know the pastor of that church very well. He is the President of the Mexican pastors committee of our ministry. Upon arriving, we received some bad news. The heater to the church was broken and it was likely to be the coldest week in Juarez of the year. God blessed us in a big way by sending us a heater repair man on the trip with cornerstone. PRAISE GOD!!!!
We arrived at the site after unloading our luggage at the church. The work site was very enclosed and barely fit the house we were going to build.
This year we built with Cornerstone Christian Church Shiloh. This was their second year building with our ministry. They had 21 adult team members and one eight year old girl. This was an important trip for their church because they are trying to transition the church into having a greater missions mind set. Casas Por Cristo is one of the best trips for that. It is international but not to far from home. It is a week long trip but very affordable. It is very complex but easy to plan a trip. Our organization is one of the best for short term missions and really getting people's feet wet into international missions. I think this trip was perfect for their church.
I met them at Walmart the day they arrived. They were busy shopping for all kinds of gifts for the family. I thought that was really cool. They bought blankets, heaters, clothes, cookware, and furniture. This family was about to receive a huge blessing from God.
The day of crossing the border, Julie and I met the team at our office. I discussed with them a few short details about what they should expect for the day to come and then we spent time praying for safety, the family to receive a house, and for us to see and give glory to God through our work. After we crossed the border we arrived at the Mexican church we were going to stay at every night. I know the pastor of that church very well. He is the President of the Mexican pastors committee of our ministry. Upon arriving, we received some bad news. The heater to the church was broken and it was likely to be the coldest week in Juarez of the year. God blessed us in a big way by sending us a heater repair man on the trip with cornerstone. PRAISE GOD!!!!
We arrived at the site after unloading our luggage at the church. The work site was very enclosed and barely fit the house we were going to build.
The family had been living in a little squat shack made of wood and cardboard. They are a family of 8. Luckily for them, another ministry had built them a house about a month prior to us getting there. The other new house was a two room house and it didn't even come close to supporting the size of the family. With these two houses combined, they should live quite a lot more comfortably.
The father and mother receiving the house were named Abraham and Alma Lozano. They were both in their early 20s. They have two daughters and two grandparents that live with them. Abraham's brother also lives with them. Abraham and Alma have had their run of bad luck. They both lived close to the river and when a flood season came a few years ago, it destroyed their house. They were forced to move in with Abraham's parents and have been residing their ever since. It has been really tough on them. Despite the lack of space and very poor living conditions, Abraham and his family have struggled to find work and keep a job. In fact, the week that we arrived, Abraham had lost his job. They were making only $80.00 a week for 8 people. Isn't that unbelievable. A common misconception is that things are cheaper in Mexico. This is simply not true. Though you can buy a coke and a candy bar cheaper, most all common things are the same price as the United States.
At the end of the build, Julie and I had made great new friends with Cornerstone Christian Church and really became part of their family. More than that, something remarkable happened with the grandfather and Abraham.
One of the Mexican Pastors from our ministry had been ministering to the family before and during the build. At the dedication ceremony, he spoke about Zacheus from the bible and related it to Abraham of the Mexican family. He talked about how Zacheus was living in sin and unbelief and how he went under a huge transformation. When Zacheus repented and chose to follow Christ, his life was transformed. After hearing the message from Pastor Martin, Abraham and his father decided to follow Christ. Pray that they will continue in their faith and that Pastor Martin Gil does a good job of shepherding them into the Christian Community.
It was an amazing week. A family blessed, an American church challenged, and Julie and I at peace. The week was filled with the feeling of God intentionally pursuing all of us involved. Christ be glorified for the great work he is doing in Juarez, MX with Casas Por Cristo.
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